Modular power supply system

Abstract

Disclosed is a modular housing for drivers used for LED lamps. The housing includes connectors for AC in from a power source, DC out to the lamps, and also has connectors allowing for control lines to be received from a control box. The housing includes an arrangement for creating two opposite stacks of drivers. The fronts of the drivers are cooled by circulating air through the space between the stacks, and heat is also dissipated through the side walls of the housing, which acts as a heat sink. The number and specifications of the drivers in the housing are configured such that every module is able to serve a number of LED lamps.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A system comprising:
 a first modular housing a base supporting opposing first and second side walls, and opposing first and second end walls; 
 a first set of internally-facing opposing vertical channels defined between the first and second side walls and configured to receive the outwardly-extending flanges of one or more drivers thus enabling the one or more drivers to be slid down into the housing such that the one or more drivers abut an internal surface of the first end wall, the first end wall being configured to act as a passive heat exchanger; and 
 the housing presenting a plurality of exposed external connectors, the connectors configured to receive (i) an AC power line from an external AC power source to the one or more drivers; and (ii) at least one DC outlet connection enabling 
 connection between the one or more drivers and a first DC powered illumination device. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1  wherein the first set of internally-facing opposing vertical channels provide for the sliding receipt of and stacking of a first group of drivers along an inside wall of the first end wall. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2  comprising:
 a second set of internally-facing opposed vertical channels defined between the first and second side walls, the second set of internally-facing opposed vertical channels enabling sliding receipt of a second group of drivers into the housing along an inside wall of the second end wall. 
 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 3  wherein an air-circulation system forces air to circulate through a space existing between the internally-facing surfaces of the first group of drivers and the internally facing surfaces of the second group of drivers to cool the first and second groups of drivers in addition to passive heat dissipation out of the first and second groups of drivers conducted through the first and second end walls. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1  wherein the first modular housing is one of a plurality of substantially similar modules, the plurality being scalable to meet the needs of a plurality of light units. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1  comprising:
 a second modular housing configured to be substantially the same as the first modular housing in terms of size and form; 
 a fastener-receiving mechanism at the bottom of the first modular housing enabling optional securement to a supporting surface; 
 a connection arrangement located on top of the first housing and bottom of the second housing, the connection arrangement enabling the second module to be securely stackable atop the first module. 
 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 1  comprising:
 a control-line connector formed on an exterior surface of the first modular housing, the control-line connector being configured to receive a control line enabling lighting commands from a control box. 
 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7  wherein the control line connector is configured for receipt of a section control line. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 7  wherein the control line connector is configured for receipt of a dimming control line. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1  wherein the first modular housing further comprises:
 a top plate adapted to be secured on top of the first and second side walls and first and second end walls to enclose the first group of drivers. 
 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 10  wherein the base plate and the top plate for a plurality of modules are consistently equally sized, but the side and end walls for different groups of modules are cut to different sizes to accommodate different lamp arrangements. 
     
     
       12. The system of  claim 1  wherein the first and second side walls are installable by being slid into each of the first and second sets of internally-facing opposing vertical channels outside of the flanges of each of the first and second groups of drivers such that each of the first and second side walls abut the backs of each driver in each of the first and second groups. 
     
     
       13. The system of  claim 12  wherein the first side wall has an exterior surface which is ribbed or finned to enhance heat conduction from the first group of drivers.